Connecticut's Kid Governor

09/04/2026

🎤🏛️Connecticut’s 2026 Kid Governor Tessa Hallinan and members of her Cabinet will visit libraries in North Haven, Ridgefield, Bridgeport, South Windsor and East Hartford in September, as part of the annual Kid Governor’s Library Circuit.

Come hear them talk about their community service platforms, their term in office, and how fifth graders can participate in the Kid Governor® program this year. The events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Check the schedule here http://ct-dc.org/qr.asp?q=CTKGLibraryTour2026

08/28/2026

📣 Calling all 5th grade teachers: registration is open for Connecticut's Kid Governor 2026-27! Register your class for this FREE civic learning program: CT.KidGovernor.org/register 🗳

08/24/2026

Kid Governor Tessa and members of her Cabinet are hitting the road for the 2026 Library Circuit! They’ll be visiting five libraries across Connecticut to share their platforms and inspire kids to make a difference in their communities. Don’t miss the chance to meet these young leaders in person!
Tuesday, 9/8 @ 6:00pm – North Haven Memorial Library!
Saturday, 9/12 @ 11:00am – Ridgefield Library!
Saturday, 9/12 @ 2:00pm – Newfield Branch Library!
Saturday, 9/19 @ 10:00am – South Windsor Public Library!
Saturday, 9/19 @ 12:30pm – East Hartford Public Library!


North Haven Memorial Library Ridgefield Library Newfield Library-BPL South Windsor Library East Hartford Public Library

07/29/2026

Check out what Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy had to say to U.S. Governors about the importance of Connecticut Democracy Center's Kid Governor program.

Oklahoma’s 4-H Junior Governor Riley Braden (left) of Creek County and Kid Governor® Katelyn Talley of Valliant Elementary School as Batgirl were among the youth volunteers at OICA’s 10th Annual Heroes Ball, held Saturday, July 25 in Oklahoma City. The pair of young leaders helped guide guests

05/15/2026

Kid Governor Tessa and her Cabinet recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the State Capitol! The student leaders were warmly welcomed in the House of Representatives by State Representative Dave Yaccarino and in the Senate by Senator Paul Cicarella and they met with their respective legislators to share their inspiring platforms. They further elevated their platforms during meetings with Office of Governor Ned Lamont, Office of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Office of the Connecticut Secretary of the State, and explored the historic building on a tour with Capitol Information and Tours.

Watch their introduction in the House: https://youtu.be/dhkIGbHAPyQ
Watch their introduction in the Senate: https://youtu.be/de0hm3MlmNg

It was an incredible day of firsthand learning about state government, civic participation, and real-world advocacy. Thank you to everyone who helped make this experience so memorable!

05/14/2026

On Tuesday, Connecticut's Kid Governor Tessa Hallinan joined Office of Governor Ned Lamont and state leaders at Connecticut's Old State House to celebrate the launch of CT250 — Connecticut's statewide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Watch the Connecticut Network (CT-N) recording of the press conference at the link below — jump to 14:40 to hear Tessa read excerpts from the Revolutionary War-era diaries of Abigail and Elizabeth Foote of Colchester. https://ct-n.com/ctnplayer.asp?odID=26475

Explore the calendar of how all 169 Connecticut municipalities are commemorating America 250 at 250inCT.com.

America 250 CT Commission CT Humanities John Larson Visit Connecticut

05/07/2026

⏰ Final hours of The Great Give! We’re so close to our goal—but we need your help! Click here to donate: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/connecticut-democracy-center

The Connecticut Democracy Center runs civic education programs including Connecticut's Kid Governor, Connecticut History Day and programming at Connecticut's Old State House

Your support today ensures more students across Connecticut — especially those in school districts with fewer resources — can access our programs that help students build confidence, civic knowledge, and leadership skills.

Don’t miss your chance to make an impact before 8 PM tonight!

05/06/2026

The Connecticut Democracy Center is proud to participate in The Great Give, a 36-hour online giving event supporting local nonprofits! Click here to donate: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/connecticut-democracy-center

May 6 (8 AM) – May 7 (8 PM)

For 27 years, we’ve helped people across Connecticut become informed, engaged citizens through hands-on civic education programs including Connecticut's Kid Governor, Connecticut History Day and programming at Connecticut's Old State House.

Last year alone, we:

✔️ Registered 10,300+ fifth graders to vote in the Kid Governor election
✔️ Engaged 4,200+ students in Connecticut History Day
✔️ Partnered with 411 teachers statewide
But too many young people still lack access to these opportunities.

🎯 Our goal: Raise $20,000 to expand these programs in under-resourced communities.

Your gift helps empower the next generation of voters, leaders, and changemakers.

Give during The Great Give to help us unlock matching funds and prizes!
👉 Learn more & donate: https://www.thegreatgive.org/organizations/connecticut-democracy-center

03/23/2026

📰👓Get an inside look at Tessa Hallinan's first few months serving as Connecticut's Kid Governor, featured on the Governing news and analysis outlet here:

https://www.governing.com/management-and-administration/meet-connecticuts-kid-governor

Writer Jule Pattison-Gordon highlights the impact the program has on students, according to Odyssey Community School teacher Carol Fellenstein, and how the platforms students choose to run on serve as a barometer for what real-life issues children worry about.

Over 10,000 kids voted in Connecticut’s Kid Governor election.

03/10/2026

Join Connecticut Democracy Center in residence at Connecticut's Old State House for “Spotlight on Connecticut’s Next Generation of Civic Leaders,” a special Civic Learning Week webinar on Friday, March 13 at 6:30pm! Students across Connecticut are leading some of the state’s most impactful civic engagement initiatives. Hear from Antonia Kambolis (Voter Captains Project), Ryan Engels (CT Youth Political Advocacy Center), Izayah Ringfield (Yale College Democrats), and Idhaant Bhosle (Town of Rocky Hill) about their student-led civics work and leadership.

🔗 Register: https://ow.ly/guo350Ys1Ny

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